Road traffic signal



Feb- 10, 1953 s; H. PELLAR 2,627,784l

ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed June 29. 1949` 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED' STATE S PAT ENT OFFI'C 2,627,784`

RIOADTRAFFIC SIGNAL Sidney H. Pellar, Wheaton, Ill; Application June 29, 1949, serial No. ioac.

(ci. sis- 79) 14' Claims.

Myinventionrelates.to road traffic signals of the type consisting of pluglike elements designedv to be embedded inA a road for the purpose of imparting a 'signal to. automotive trailic, such as approach to-a'n intersection, curves, turnout, etc, In a sense, this invention may be considered an improvement overv that covered by m-'y'Patent No. 2,489,499, granted November 29, i949..

in my said copending application, the present invention contemplates a pluglike devicedesigned to be embedded in a road and formed of glass or other transparent or translucent Inateral; so. as to have optical properties, and also preferably deformed so as to have below the exposed surface thereof elements for optically aiecting light falling thereon, as by reection, refraction, etc., in order thattrafcapproaching an intersection from one direction, especially at night, but also in daytime,y may have a light signal imparted thereto;

My invention also contemplates Ya sectional multicolored signal, imparting a scintillating Jewellike eiect.

I alsoprovde inconjunctionwithv the molded pluglike element above referred. toan improved casing or housing for the same, so that it will bfc-supported Within the pavementand protected from wear and destruction against heavytranic loadsv passing thereover. The housing is specially designed to permit passage of light from onelenselement to another.

My invention will be` more clearly understood from the appended drawingsiorming a 'partei this specificationV and,illust1 ati ng certain pre'- ferred embodiments otmy invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of. one form of my invention;

Fig.. 2 is a sectionalpview taken substantially along the-line 'L 2 ofrFig. L;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially along the line 3 -3 of Fig. 2;

Fig 4 is a planvview similar to Fig. 1v but showing another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the staggered line 5+5 of Fig. 4.;

Fig. (i is a sectional` view similar to Figs. Zand 5 but showing different form of my invention;

Figs. 7v and 8 are elevational views showing tWo forms of lens sections comprising part of my f Fig'. 11 is an eievatignai view showinga diiei- 2A ent roi-m 'ofgsignjalidevice.Wiliamountinstherefor s hovvn 'fragmentarilyin section, sald'vi'ew be? ing taken 4substantiallyalongth'e line IL H of' Fig. r2.: l

Fig. 1,2is apl'an View ofthe device shown in Fig. 13 'i1sa vfragmern :afry sectionalviewof the housing-taken substantially along the line IBL-.l 3' of' Fig. 12'; and,

Fig. 1.4 is `a plan view of'still' anotherfform 'of my invention, t Y

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 3, inclusive, numeral I!)4 represents` the paving material' ofj a road' in, whichA isembedded av signer devicel embodying' my inventionthe embodiment shown here, 'the signalling device comprises a plurality of lens elements I2 molded of` glass or other 'suitable translucent or, transparent materiaL, either colorlessA or colored',v as desired. The 'various lements may. vary in color within the same unit. The signalling` de,- vice is preferably formed in. a plurality ofsejctor shaped' 'sections 'each 'of vvh ich, in the etnicodiment shown, is inthe form of a quadrant, of an approximate, hemlsbhere. Obv'ously, the shape and' number of the sectors are notI critical, my principal concern being that the top is 'curved and comparatively low, so that it WillQpIQject above the ,ground4 only a "slight, distance', permitting traiiic to roll'thereover'without too muchv iA a jar, whil'eat the. Same time. briectins'suf cientlv to imparta beam. Qfilieht f'qr a substantial distance tol approaching'motorists, Itgvvill be Obvious. that; amnot limited, to anyA particu-1 lar number ofsectovrs b nmay use a'smalleror larger number, ',of... ele. ents I2., .r

lIt is. my desire that. tbeisienellne devices .be preferablyformedinaplurali rather than as 'a Single of;reaairips.k ihgrst b1" to vhave;'ceiztaiiop l ,prop.erties, als I S. all, deiy scribe below; iirtliermore., by f orminatbem. 0i a plurality Qi'. sections; damage, to 'one'lse'cti I may be, readily Hrepaired. by replacing Y a tion at less labor and expense than Woj quired if; the entire signalling device, ha to be replaced, as would bthe. cas' if. iilwre'for' .ed in 'one piece. Furthermore.. as Stated' above, the lens sections may bev of diff nt combination Ofc-cfg fled, a White. Sections. giving. added bri.

f rne elements, iz formed with s vertical abuttingfacesvv ich ma deformed ironia 'generally vriclplaue.

forms shown in Figs. 1`f-,6., inclusive, vthese faces are substantially flat and preferably have applied thereto a coating I, which may be in the form of silvering applied to the surface in a manner customary in the silvering of mirrors and the like, or it may be a thin foil or sheet of metal such as tin, aluminum, etc., having high reflectivity. As another alternative, these faces may have applied thereto a coating of phosphorescent or luminescent paint or the like. Also, semi-transparent mirror coatings may be used.

Also interposed between the elements I2 is a separator in the form of a gasket like member I8 formed of rubber or suitable synthetic resin so as substantially to fill the spaces between the elements I2, serving to prevent the entry of dirt, Water, etc., and also to protect the lens elements against damage from surface pressures.

The single unit formed by the plurality of elements I2 and associated parts. as above described, is preferably mounted ina casing 2i) comprising an anchoring portion adapted to be embedded in the pavement which may consist of a plurality of vertical legs 22, although said anchoring part might be a depending ring. Integrally formed with the anchoring part is a plurality of Webs 24 Which overlie the junctures of the respective elements I2 and the spacers It. The legs 22 and Webs 2t are joined by a ring having a relatively fiat and approximately horizontal undersurface 25 providing a shoulder seating against the surface of the pavement i0, the upper portion of the ring having va gentle slope 26 which merges into the top surface. of the elements I2, so that a vehicle riding over the device will avoid any sudden jar. Connecting the legs 22 below the flange 25--26 is a ring 21.

It will be seen from Fig. 2 that the housing 2S is shaped so as to conform closely to the outer contours of the signalling elements I2 so that they Will be securely retained therein along with their gasket spacers I8.

Although the device just described may be mounted in any suitable or convenient manner in the road, I prefer, after providing a suitable aperture in the pavement, to insert rst Within said aperture a suitable mastic or adhesive 28, such as asphalt, tar, pitch or other suitable material Which forms not only the bed for the signalling element, but also extends upwardly as at 29 around the fingers 22 of the spider 2i). Furthermore, in order to reduce the shock of heavy loads on the signalling device, I may provide above the bed 23 a disk 32 of suitable resilient material such as rubber or synthetic resin.

It Will be seen that I have provided a practical and rugged element having a number of advantages. The various sectors` I 2 making up the signal device or plug have light reflecting and refracting properties, as in my` other patent application referred to above, thel light which enters these translucent or transparent sectors being bent and reflected in various directions by means of the dat reflecting surfaces Where the various sectors abut one another. Furthermore, the casing 20 serves to protect the signalling unit over the abutting planes of the sectors so as more eiiiciently to prevent entryof foreign matter and also to protect them from chipping as a result of outside pressures along these edges. Said housing also aids in mounting the device in .the pavement quickly and with a minimum of labor, and also serves effectively as an anchor to retain the signalling device in the pavement despite heavy pressures which may be applied from thetop, as from heavily loaded trucks.

Referring now to the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5, here again the signalling element comprises a plurality of transparent or translucent sectors I2a which are generally similar to the elements I2, previously described, except that they are of somewhat shallower height. In this embodiment, I have shown the sectors I2'l as provided not only on their side but also on their bottom surfaces With a reflecting coating I5, while gaskets I 82L are likewise provided adjacent said coatings.

The housing indicated generally by the numeral 2li is of somewhat different form than that provided in Figs. 1-3. In this case said housing comprises legs 22n and also an integral base or platform 3 2, having integral cross arms 34 as well as a peripheral flange portion 35. Flange 35 provides a fiat horizontal portion 25a seating against the surface of the pavement and also an inner shoulder 3l which cooperates with the Webs 34 and platform 32 to provide pockets for the sectors I 2e.

The device is mounted in the pavement IB similarly to the other embodiment, a suitable bedding material 28 having adhesive qualities being preferably provided.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment with a different type of mounting. In this case the mounting r 2Gb consists of a cylindrical casing 40 having a bottom Wall liz and vertical partitions M forming pockets for lens sectors I2".

The embodiment of Fig. 6 has the advantage of simplicity of construction so thatit can be made Y with a minimum of labor and .reduced` expenditure for tools. I

It should be understood that while in the devices of Figs. 1-6, inclusive, I have shown the lens sectors as having substantially undeformed lateral surfaces, for simplicity of illustration. it is within the contemplation of my invention that said surfaces may, if desired, be deformed as shown in my application above referred to, or as shown in Figs. '7-14 hereof, or in other ways, so as to act optically upon light falling thereon, i. e., to refract, reflect or diffract the light and produce any desired optical effect.

Referring now to the embodiments of Figs. 7 and 9, I show here another form of my invention with particular reference to the lens sector portion of the signalling device. Thus, the numeral 45 indicates a sector which may be ,generally similar to the sectors I2, I2a, I2b except that onc or more of its abutting surfaces 46 is deformed to provide a plurality of pyramidal projections, s u-ch as tetrahedrons, projecting from the generally vertical surface for the purpose of breaking up the light yfalling on this surface and reflecting it in a large number of directions in a dazzling or scintillating character. It should be understood that While I have shown one of the vertical surfaces as deformed and the other surface :il as undeformed, both surfaces may, if desired, be deformed for the purposes indicated. Also, other types of prismatic or other deformations 'may be used.

Figs. 8 and l0 show a sector [55e in which one or more of its abutting surfaces is deformed by providing a plural-ity of outwardly projecting nodules yl which serve a similar purpose to the pyramids shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

Figs. 11-13 show another arrangement employing sectors 52 of transparent Ior translucent mau terial which may be similar to the sectors employed in the other embodiments except that in this case one or more of their generally vertical suriacesare deformed to form vertically .extending .elongated prisms 53. Said sectors are mounted in Ya housing indicated .generally by the numeral 55 and comprising `a base portion 56 having preferably integrally formed therewi-th vertical lens separator walls 5B. One. ormore of thewalls 58' is preferably provided with lperforations for windows E@ therein for the passage of light, and while I have shown these openings Bil as being spaced relatively lclose to the juncture of said walls 5B it 'will be understood that said vopenings or windows may, if desired, be spaced through-out the entire extent of said cross lbars or at lany desired intervals.

By reference to Fig. l2, it will be seen that a beam of light entering any of the sectors 52 will pass partly through the windows vor passages 60 of the lens separators 58 so that a portion of said light will leave the signalling device in a direction transverse to the original beam and, thus, when the signalling device ismounted at an intersection lof two or more highways or along a curve, a driver may be warned of the approach of a vehicle from a different `direction fand may reduce his speed accordingly. This applies yespecially, of course, to night driving. However, `even in the day time, passage of sunlight from one sector to an opposite sector through the passage-s 'E0 will ren-der the sign-als visible for long distances regardless of the position of the sun or direction of an approaching driver. The brilliant effect will be enhanced by use of multicolored lens sections.

Referring to Fig. 14, I show here `another modffication yof my invention comprising -a plurality of transparent or translucent sectors 52a which are mounted in `a casing yor housing, which may be generally similar to -any of lthe forms of housing described hereinabove, such as, for example,

those shown in Figs. 5, 6 or 11-13, with lens separator walls 53'. However, these walls 58' terminate short of the center, leaving a space therein in which may be mounted a translucent block `$2 of glass or of one of the recently developed plastics having suitable properties, such as those sold under the names of Lucite, Tonite etc. These parts may be secured together and to the base 'by a translucent cement or other suitable means.

The lens sectors 521iL may, Aas in the embodiment shown in Figs. 7-12, preferably have their generally vertical surfaces deformed from Vertical planes to provide prisms or any other suitable light reflecting or refracting elements.

Obviously, a beam of light entering 'any sector 52a will pass in part through the translucent or transparent cent-er block 52, being bent or refracted so that it will enter the sector diagonally opposite the sector which the beam r-st entered. In said diagonally opposite sector the beam will again be refracted by the prism or other deformations 6l) so that a portion thereof will leave said sector in a transverse direction lfrom the original beam of light emanating from the source. such as an. automobile headlight or the sun.

The advantage of this construction as well as that described above for Figs. 7-13 will be obvious. In both cases an automotive vehicle approaching -an intersection in which a signalling device embodying my invention is placed, may transmit a signal along a transverse intersecting highway or around a curve. Thus, in a vehicle approaching the intersection on the transverse highway or approaching a curve, even though it may still be at a d-istance so -great that light from its .ownzheadlights .may .not .reach .the-'signalling device, :the .driver thereof .willjbe warned :of '.the approach of a lvehicle from another direction `by observing the .rays of `its :headlights vtransmitted through .said signal-device; Also, vsunlight will pass through the center piece 162 :and .emitted from fan Iopposite Ysectorin a direction ltransverse tothe path fromthe sun,.beingrbroken up by the deformations on -theLlens sectors .so as to arrest attention andwarniapproaching traino.

Semitransparent :and .reflectingcoatings such as Ilight silver-ing-.or light Icoats 'of .luminescent lpaint may be applied tcftheembodiments of Fig-s. 7-14, las indicated vat 65.

Various chang-es Vcoming lwithin .the .spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled .in the arthencze, I do not wish to be limited to thespecic .form .shown or uses mentioned, except as indicated in the Aappended claims.

I claim:

l. In combination, a lens housing having means ,for anchoring it :in pavement, and :means for seating therein a plurality of wedge shaped lens elements, said seating means including a plurality of substantially vertical, .divider walls, and lens .elements each having faces. lying in generally vertical planes contiguous to said walls and a curved top surface, said elements having light deflecting deformations on said first-mentioned faces.

2. In combination, a highway safety signal comprising a protective housing adapted to be partially embedded in a road surface, and a plurality of lens segments supported in said housing, said segments each having a at base, a substantially vertical face and a curved exposed upper surface, and means disposed between and contiguous to adjacent vertical faces of said segments for protecting the segments against lateral strain.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the substantially vertical faces of the lens sectors are deformed so as to reflect light in a plurality of directions.

4. In combination, a highway safety signal comprising a plurality of solid segmento-spherical lenses each having a flat base and a pair of intersecting flat substantially vertical faces, said vertical faces providing surfaces reflecting light through said lenses, and supporting means for said lenses comprising a portion adapted to be embedded in a pavement and means for retaining said lenses in spaced relation, a major portion of the spherical surface of said lenses being substantially unobstructedly exposed at the top and sides of said signal.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said housing comprises a platform and substantially vertical wall members disposed between and contiguous to the lenses.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the wall members are perforated to permit passage of light therethrough from one lens to another, and the sectors are provided with deformations for reflecting a beam of light passing through said apertures at an angle transverse to said beam.

7. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the housing is an integral body having an anchoring portion and a portion engageable with the lenses above their bottom surfaces.

8. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the housing is an integral body comprising an anchoring portion. a flange portion adapted to 7, seat on adjacent pavement, and a portion engageable with the lenses above their bottom surfaces.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8 wherein the housing also includes members overlying the lens sector separation planes.

10. A combination as denedl in claim 4, wherein the housing also includes members overlying the lens sector separation planes.

11. A combination as dened in claim 4, wherein the housing is an integral body having an anchoring portion, a iiange adapted to rest on the pavement surface, and substantially vertical lens spacing walls.

l2. A combination as dei-ined in claim 11, wherein said Walls are perforated.

13. A combination as dened in claim 4, wherein said supporting means has substantially vertical wall members disposed between and contiguous to said lenses, said wall members each having a light passage therein, the verticai faces of said lenses having deformations for transmitting from said signal a portion of a beam falling thereon at a substantial angle to said beam and having light reflecting means applied to their generally vertical surfaces.

14. A combination as defined in claim 4, where- SIDNEY H. PELLAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,698,957 McCrea Jan. 15, 1929 1,812,058 Paul June 30, 1931 1,927,756 Ross Sept. 19, 1933 2,067,698 Hall Jan. 12, 1937 2,301,185 Arnoldet al NOV. 10, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 422,554 Great Britain Jan. 16, 1935 

